Tag Archives: pencils.com

The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity was the scene last night for the opening gala of the Blackwing Experience. Charles Berlozheimer and his wife, Ginger, founders of the Blackwing Foundation and sixth generation pencil-makers were on hand to greet arriving guests.

In addition to the Berlozheimer’s, guests were greeted by a quote from Blackwing 602 pencil devotee, Chuck Jones, “The rules are simple: take your work, but never yourself, seriously. Pour in the love and whatever skill you have, and it will come out.” Every guest picked up a Blackwing 602 or a Blackwing Pearl pencil on their way in, because……there were creativity stations scattered throughout the Center. From camera lucidas to song-writing, from pictionary to photo ops, guests had the opportunity to express themselves while nibbling on amazing hors d’oeuvres from 24 Carrots Catering.One of many highlights of the evening was the launch of the new ChuckJones.com website. Created by the awesome team at Gigasavvy. Shown here from left: Sven Johnston, SVP Business Development at Gigasavvy; Corey Mangold, Co-founder of Gigasavvy with his fiancee, Erin; and far right, Craig Kausen, Chairman of the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity and Chuck Jones’s grandson. The new website, when it leaps out of beta mode (soon, soon, we promise!) will be one of the most creative and exciting shopping destinations on the internet. Chuck Redux may be biased, but we are not over-promising!

Another special treat of the evening was Stephen Reis, storyboard artist for the longest running sitcom on television, “The Simpsons”. Reis, center, shown here with Ann Tanner and her husband, Joel, one of the co-founders of Gigasavvy. Stephen was kind enough to spend the evening at one of Chuck’s animation desks drawing “Simpsons” characters for those assembled. Thank you for your generous spirit, Stephen!

The Blackwing Experience wouldn’t be the astounding event it is without the creative talents of art director, Lesli Scott, seen here with the Center’s Robert Patrick. How do you spell “CREATIVE”? L-e-s-l-i!

And speaking of behind-the-scenes talent (we were, you know) Grant Christensen, right, the director of business development for Pencils.com and Palomino Brands, the companies behind the Blackwing Experience, was on hand to make sure all of the parts fell together before the gala kicked off. He’s shown here with landscape artist Diane Wright, and Mahlon, the Pencils.com wholesale point person.

Artists Joseph Yakovetic, left, and Robert Delgadillo (AKA Radboy).

Chuck Jones “Homage” artist and surfer, Bob Elias.

Henri Duong, Project Manager at Gigasavvy, with his friend, Kimberly, show off their artistic sides.

Somewhere in the middle of the evening–or was toward the end? Who can remember?–Craig Kausen took the microphone and welcomed everyone to the Blackwing Experience; he introduced Corey Mangold of Gigasavvy (below) as well as Charles Berlozheimer of Blackwing (2nd photo below.) All-in-all it was a lovely evening celebrating the creative spirit, especially the spirit as embodied in the simple object of a pencil. Huzzah to the Blackwing 602!

Writing from Costa Mesa: This reporter was fortunate enough to witness "Simpsons" storyboard artist, Stephen Reis (center in photo below) in action this past Saturday, November 3rd, at the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity during their "Great, Grand Chuck Jones Family Happening!" With a sharp pencil in each hand (many thanks to Pencils.com for the gift of Chuck Jones's preferred drawing instrument, the Blackwing 602, which all of those in attendance were able to use), Reis wowed those lucky aspirants with his dexterity and command of character design.

How to draw Mr. Burns was one of many character studies led by Stephen Reis.

Over a three-hour period, over 30 students of animation, both young and old alike, learned from one of the most creative storyboard and character design artists working in animation today. By the end of the session and because of his guidance and nurturing manner each student had produced a group of characters from "The Simpsons". Smiles all around!

Everyone at the Center extends a heartfelt thank you to Stephen and we look forward to his return in the future!

Tustin, CA—The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity announced today that Guinness World Records has approved their request to set the Guinness World Record for the largest art class held in a single venue. Scheduled for Sunday, August 7th at 2 PM sharp during the Chuck Jones Big Draw (11 AM to 5 PM) to be held at SOCO (South Coast Collection), 3303 Hyland Avenue, Costa Mesa, California, the Center will host a 45 minute drawing class during which participants will learn how to draw the star of Warner Bros. cartoons, Bugs Bunny. The cost is $25.00 each or $40.00 for a family (or group) of four. Tickets for the event are available through EventComplete.com. Special pricing for organizations is available by contacting EventComplete.com.

“Attempting to break the recent record of 817 people at an art class held in Copenhagen, Denmark in June of this year will be an awesome feat and a great experience for everyone involved,” exclaimed Craig Kausen, Chairman of the Chuck Jones Center and the grandson of Chuck Jones. “I know that Chuck would have loved the idea of over 800 people all learning how to draw Bugs Bunny, at one time, at one location; in fact, I believe he would have loved leading the class himself!”

The Chuck Jones Big Draw is a fun-filled event that allows people of all ages and levels of artistic accomplishment to be nurtured and guided by the Center’s teaching artists in a non-judgmental environment. Intended as an exploration of each person’s creativity, the Chuck Jones Big Draw will allow participants to experience a personal journey filled with insight and joy. It is designed to ignite their creativity so that it may be used in all aspects of their life including school, business, sciences, sports and all of the fine arts.

The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is hosting the Chuck Jones Big Draw with the sponsors for this event, SOCO (South Coast Collection, Costa Mesa), Art Supply Warehouse (Westminster, Ca) and Pencils.com (a California Cedar Products Company). The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity was founded in 1999 by four-time Academy Award recipient, Chuck Jones to promote his unique philosophy of developing the creative genius that resides in all of us, utilizing his drawings, films and writings as the springboard to a more joyous and innovative life. Through public educational programs such as the Chuck Jones Big Draw, the Center reaches out to families, students and adults through interactive programs that lead them to a more passionate, joyous, and harmonious life and world.

Tustin, CA—The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity announced today that the manufacturer of Chuck Jones’s favorite pencil, Pencils.com (a California Cedar Products Company) will be a sponsor of the Chuck Jones Big Draw, scheduled for Sunday, August 7, 2011 at SOCO (South Coast Collection), 3303 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa, CA. Pencils.com will provide the drawing pencils for participants of the Big Draw and gift the Center’s teaching artists with its newly re-designed Blackwing 602, the favored pencil of legendary animation director and creator, Chuck Jones. Jones employed the Blackwing 602 for the six decades of his storied career and was rarely seen without one.

"Chuck Jones loved Blackwing pencils and his art epitomized the fun, creative culture that our company tries so hard to promote. We're thrilled to partner with an organization centered on inspiring the type of creativity that can lead people of all ages to a more joyous and harmonious life," stated Charles Berolzheimer, President of California Cedar Products and Pencils.com

Pencils.com is the internet's leading resource for information about pencils and the creative processes that help define them. Pencils.com aims to grow the use of pencils throughout the world by offering lessons and articles that investigate and promote creativity through writing and drawing. Pencils.com offers one of the best pencil collections on the web, with a broad range of school, art and writing supplies from leading manufacturers, including their own California Republic family of brands. This includes the rebirth of the famed Blackwing pencil, along with its premium Palomino art pencils and eco-friendly ForestChoice writing products.

Behind Pencils.com is California Cedar Products Company, the world’s leading supplier of wooden slats used to manufacture pencils. A fourth generation, family-owned company, Cal Cedar has been built on a tradition of excellence both in the production of superior products and in our dedication to building strong relations with our customers.

“The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity is honored to welcome Pencils.com as a sponsor of our upcoming Chuck Jones Big Draw. My grandfather’s attachment to the Blackwing 602 pencil is legendary. As the artist Paul Klee once said, “A line is a dot out for a walk,” and Chuck wouldn’t think of taking a walk without his Blackwing 602,” said Craig Kausen, Chairman of the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity and the grandson of Chuck Jones, “their support means so much to so many and we look forward to future collaborative efforts with Pencils.com.”

The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity was founded in 1999 by four-time Academy Award recipient, Chuck Jones to promote his unique philosophy of developing the creative genius that resides in all of us, utilizing his drawings, films and writings as the springboard to a more joyous and innovative life. Through public educational programs such as the Chuck Jones Big Draw, the Center reaches out to families, students and adults through interactive programs that lead them to a more passionate, joyous, and harmonious life and world.